When Ash and friends hear of a unbeatable trainer operating nearby, they seek her out. They are quickly stunned when both Brock's Vuplix and Ash's Cyndaquil are easily defeated by her Skarmory, despite having a huge type advantage. Ash then sets out to train Cyndaquil and help it with its flame problem.

While walking through a forest on the way to Goldenrod City, Ash and friends encounter a rare Noctowl that is smaller then other Noctowl and has different colors too. This Noctowl is a trickster, and when Ash hears this he sets out to capture the tricky Pokemon.